Virtual Reality in Electrophysiological Procedures and Device Implantation: the VR inEP Trial

Launched by RADBOUD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Jul 29, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is testing whether using Virtual Reality (VR) can help reduce pain and anxiety for patients having certain heart procedures, such as treating irregular heartbeats or getting devices like pacemakers or defibrillators implanted. These procedures often cause discomfort and worry, and while medicines can help, they sometimes come with side effects. VR offers a drug-free way to distract patients during the procedure, and this study wants to see if it really makes a difference.

Adults aged 16 and older who are scheduled for these heart procedures under local anesthesia (meaning you’re awake but the area is numbed) may be able to join the trial. People who need sedation (medicine to relax or sleep), don’t understand Dutch, have dementia, or severe vision problems cannot take part. If you join, you’ll be randomly assigned to either use VR during your procedure or receive usual care without VR. After the procedure, you’ll be asked about your pain and anxiety levels to see if VR helped. The study also aims to help hospital staff learn how to use VR so it might become a regular part of care in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ≥16 years of age
• • Planned to undergo an invasive electrophysiological procedure (e.g., catheter ablation or electrophysiological study) or cardiac device implantation (e.g., pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator).
• • The procedure must be performed under local anesthesia.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients undergoing procedures using (conscious) sedation
• • Patients who do not speak or understand Dutch
• • History of dementia
• • Severe visual impairment.